HOOTON: "This index can help policymakers foster the next great tech hub in their state."

Washington, D.C. – Internet Association today released a new report that finds Colorado is the easiest state to start and grow an internet business. This new index measures and ranks each state on its ease of doing internet business, finding highly ranked states have fostered a strong internet sector and a stronger local economy overall. Modeled on the World Bank's Ease of Doing Business index, the report underscores the need to adopt a wide range of policies to drive economic growth in all 50 states.

"A comprehensive public policy approach is necessary to create robust internet sectors that propel local economies in all 50 states," said Michael Beckerman, President and CEO of Internet Association. "The uneven nature of the most recent economic recovery underscores the need for state leaders to adopt policies that will support a dynamic internet economy to drive long-term growth."

As policymakers seek solutions to revive business dynamism across the country, the report highlights the pivotal role the internet can play in growing struggling economies. Entitled "Ease Of Doing Internet Business," the index (EDIB) identifies the core ingredients necessary for a strong internet economy, providing a roadmap for policymakers in states across the country looking to boost local economic growth.

Key findings are:

Colorado is top state in the country for ease of doing internet business with Washington, Utah, Maryland, and Massachusetts rounding out the top five. Colorado earned the top spot due to its friendly regulatory environment, highly-skilled workforce, and availability of financing for internet businesses, among other factors. The next four made it to the top due to high marks on access to high quality internet. California cracked the top ten list thanks to a high score in innovation financing, overcoming its less friendly regulatory environment.

Access to high quality internet is the main driver of state scores. There is a large discrepancy in internet access between top-performing states and lagging states. In this category, Washington, Utah, and Connecticut topped the list, ranked first and tied second respectively.

A high EDIB score can help states overcome other barriers to starting a business, such as high costs or an unfriendly regulatory environment, showing the importance of policies that support internet businesses. In particular, the need for access to high quality internet has resulted in firms ignoring higher costs and burdensome regulatory environments when entering new markets.

"This index can help policymakers foster the next great tech hub in their state," said Internet Association's Chief Economist Dr. Chris Hooton. "It also shows that creating a strong internet economy requires more than simply recruiting technology companies to your state, but adopting a comprehensive set of policies to jumpstart long-lasting internet sector growth."

HOOTON: "This index can help policymakers foster the next great tech hub in their state."

Washington, D.C. – Internet Association today released a new report that finds Colorado is the easiest state to start and grow an internet business. This new index measures and ranks each state on its ease of doing internet business, finding highly ranked states have fostered a strong internet sector and a stronger local economy overall. Modeled on the World Bank's Ease of Doing Business index, the report underscores the need to adopt a wide range of policies to drive economic growth in all 50 states.
"A comprehensive public policy approach is necessary to create robust internet sectors that propel local economies in all 50 states," said Michael Beckerman, President and CEO of Internet Association. "The uneven nature of the most recent economic recovery underscores the need for state leaders to adopt policies that will support a dynamic internet economy to drive long-term growth."
As policymakers seek solutions to revive business dynamism across the country, the report highlights the pivotal role the internet can play in growing struggling economies. Entitled "Ease Of Doing Internet Business," the index (EDIB) identifies the core ingredients necessary for a strong internet economy, providing a roadmap for policymakers in states across the country looking to boost local economic growth.
Key findings are:

Colorado is top state in the country for ease of doing internet business with Washington, Utah, Maryland, and Massachusetts rounding out the top five. Colorado earned the top spot due to its friendly regulatory environment, highly-skilled workforce, and availability of financing for internet businesses, among other factors. The next four made it to the top due to high marks on access to high quality internet. California cracked the top ten list thanks to a high score in innovation financing, overcoming its less friendly regulatory environment.

Access to high quality internet is the main driver of state scores. There is a large discrepancy in internet access between top-performing states and lagging states. In this category, Washington, Utah, and Connecticut topped the list, ranked first and tied second respectively.

A high EDIB score can help states overcome other barriers to starting a business, such as high costs or an unfriendly regulatory environment, showing the importance of policies that support internet businesses. In particular, the need for access to high quality internet has resulted in firms ignoring higher costs and burdensome regulatory environments when entering new markets.

"This index can help policymakers foster the next great tech hub in their state," said Internet Association's Chief Economist Dr. Chris Hooton. "It also shows that creating a strong internet economy requires more than simply recruiting technology companies to your state, but adopting a comprehensive set of policies to jumpstart long-lasting internet sector growth."
To read the full report, click here.

Hooton: "This research shows what many already know; short-term rentals help – and certainly do not harm – the Seattle housing market."

Washington, DC – Internet Association today released new economic research on Seattle’s housing and short-term rental markets. This first-of-its-kind research uses new data from IA member companies to examine the impact of short-term rentals on the overall Seattle housing market and on the hotel market.

“This research shows what many already knew; short-term rentals help – and certainly do not harm – the Seattle housing market,” said Internet Association Chief Economist Dr. Christopher Hooton. “STRs can help safeguard home ownership and spark investment and consumer spending throughout the city. This new research will inject much-needed data into the housing discussion in Seattle.”

There Is No Empirical Evidence To Support The Two Biggest Opposition Claims About STRs In The Seattle Market. IA found no statistically significant relationship between STRs and reduced owner-occupancy or increased commercial property listing activity.

STRS And Hotels Service Geographically And Economically Distinct Areas Of Seattle. Our research found no evidence of hotels and STRs occupying similar markets in Seattle; they serve different communities at different price points.

STRS Do Enormous Good For Cities Like Seattle And Their Residents. An Airbnb host in Seattle typically earns an extra $9,000 per year and nationally, 70 percent of HomeAway owners are able to cover at least half of their mortgage through rentals.

Hooton: "This research shows what many already know; short-term rentals help – and certainly do not harm – the Seattle housing market."

Washington, DC – Internet Association today released new economic research on Seattle’s housing and short-term rental markets. This first-of-its-kind research uses new data from IA member companies to examine the impact of short-term rentals on the overall Seattle housing market and on the hotel market.
“This research shows what many already knew; short-term rentals help – and certainly do not harm – the Seattle housing market,” said Internet Association Chief Economist Dr. Christopher Hooton. “STRs can help safeguard home ownership and spark investment and consumer spending throughout the city. This new research will inject much-needed data into the housing discussion in Seattle.”

There Is No Empirical Evidence To Support The Two Biggest Opposition Claims About STRs In The Seattle Market. IA found no statistically significant relationship between STRs and reduced owner-occupancy or increased commercial property listing activity.

STRS And Hotels Service Geographically And Economically Distinct Areas Of Seattle. Our research found no evidence of hotels and STRs occupying similar markets in Seattle; they serve different communities at different price points.

STRS Do Enormous Good For Cities Like Seattle And Their Residents. An Airbnb host in Seattle typically earns an extra $9,000 per year and nationally, 70 percent of HomeAway owners are able to cover at least half of their mortgage through rentals.

Washington, DC – Internet Association President and CEO Michael Beckerman issued the following statement upon the introduction of the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act of 2017:

“The Department of Justice must hold criminal actors and facilitators of human trafficking – including rogue operators like Backpage.com – responsible to the fullest extent of the law. Sex trafficking is abhorrent and illegal. Internet companies work tirelessly to ensure that platforms are hostile toward illicit activity and partner with law enforcement every day to defeat criminal actors.

“However, this bill is overly broad and will be counterproductive in the fight to combat human trafficking. While not the intention of the bill, it would create a new wave of frivolous and unpredictable actions against legitimate companies rather than addressing underlying criminal behavior. Furthermore, it will impose new, substantial liability risks for companies that take proactive measures to prevent trafficking online, hampering the ability of websites to fight illegal activity. The bill also jeopardizes bedrock principles of a free and open internet, with serious economic and speech implications well beyond its intended scope.

“Internet companies agree that further steps must be taken to end human trafficking. The internet industry is committed to working with Congress to provide the Department of Justice with additional tools to prosecute criminals, including through our criminal laws, and innovative ways to provide public and private partners the resources necessary to combat human trafficking.”

]]>Washington, DC – Internet Association President and CEO Michael Beckerman issued the following statement upon the introduction of the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act of 2017:
“The Department of Justice must hold criminal actors and facilitators of human trafficking – including rogue operators like Backpage.com – responsible to the fullest extent of the law. Sex trafficking is abhorrent and illegal. Internet companies work tirelessly to ensure that platforms are hostile toward illicit activity and partner with law enforcement every day to defeat criminal actors.
“However, this bill is overly broad and will be counterproductive in the fight to combat human trafficking. While not the intention of the bill, it would create a new wave of frivolous and unpredictable actions against legitimate companies rather than addressing underlying criminal behavior. Furthermore, it will impose new, substantial liability risks for companies that take proactive measures to prevent trafficking online, hampering the ability of websites to fight illegal activity. The bill also jeopardizes bedrock principles of a free and open internet, with serious economic and speech implications well beyond its intended scope.
“Internet companies agree that further steps must be taken to end human trafficking. The internet industry is committed to working with Congress to provide the Department of Justice with additional tools to prosecute criminals, including through our criminal laws, and innovative ways to provide public and private partners the resources necessary to combat human trafficking.”

Washington, DC –Internet Association President and CEO Michael Beckerman issued the following statement on the introduction of the ECPA Modernization Act of 2017, a bill to update and modernize the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA) by Sens. Lee and Leahy:

“The internet industry commends Senators Lee and Leahy for introducing bipartisan legislation that extends critically important privacy safeguards to electronically stored content. This bill ensures Americans’ constitutional right to privacy covers not just their mailboxes, but also their inboxes. This ECPA reform legislation represents an important step towards bringing privacy into the digital era.”

]]>Washington, DC –Internet Association President and CEO Michael Beckerman issued the following statement on the introduction of the ECPA Modernization Act of 2017, a bill to update and modernize the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA) by Sens. Lee and Leahy:
“The internet industry commends Senators Lee and Leahy for introducing bipartisan legislation that extends critically important privacy safeguards to electronically stored content. This bill ensures Americans’ constitutional right to privacy covers not just their mailboxes, but also their inboxes. This ECPA reform legislation represents an important step towards bringing privacy into the digital era.”

]]>Statement On The Passage Of House Energy And Commerce Committee Autonomous Vehicle Legislationhttps://internetassociation.org/statement-autonomous-vehicle-legislation-house-energy-commerce/
Thu, 27 Jul 2017 15:47:55 +0000https://internetassociation.org/?p=9914IA President and CEO Michael Beckerman released the following statement on the passage of House Energy And Commerce Committee autonomous vehicle legislation.

]]>Washington, DC – Internet Association President and CEO Michael Beckerman released the following statement on the passage of House Energy And Commerce Committee autonomous vehicle legislation:

“The House Energy & Commerce Committee’s thoughtful and bipartisan work on autonomous vehicle legislation is a step in the right direction. We look forward to continuing our engagement on this bill, and are especially encouraged by the committee’s technology neutral approach and handling of cybersecurity issues.”

]]>Internet Association Hires New Head Of Global Government Affairshttps://internetassociation.org/hires-new-head-global-government-affairs-melika-carroll/
Tue, 25 Jul 2017 19:54:07 +0000https://internetassociation.org/?p=9871Today, Internet Association announced Mèlika D. Carroll will join the organization as Senior Vice President of Global Government Affairs. Carroll was most recently Policy Advisor to Senator Brian Schatz and previously led global public policy strategy and government affairs for Salesforce

]]>BECKERMAN: “Mèlika is the perfect person to lead Internet Association’s government affairs team as we continue to expand in scale and scope.”

Washington, DC – Today, Internet Association announced Mèlika D. Carroll will join the organization as Senior Vice President of Global Government Affairs. Carroll was most recently Policy Advisor to Senator Brian Schatz and previously led global public policy strategy and government affairs for Salesforce.

“Mèlika is the perfect person to lead Internet Association’s government affairs team as we continue to expand in scale and scope. As one of Internet Association’s founding board members, Mèlika knows IA, our members, and our issues,” said Beckerman. “She is one of the best in the business, and she will fit right into our incredibly talented team.”

Carroll brings considerable experience in both the public and private sector to IA, where she will oversee Internet Association’s expanding state and federal affairs teams.

As a Policy Advisor for Senator Schatz, Carroll supported the Senator’s work as Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation and the Internet. She also teaches a practicum on international business and government relations as an Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University and is the co-founder and former chairwoman of the Global Women’s Innovation Network, GlobalWIN.org.

Carroll was previously a member of and led global government affairs teams teams for major tech companies like Hewlett Packard, Intel, and Micron Technologies. She holds a Bachelor in Political Science and Public Administration from the University of Ottawa in Canada and a Masters of European Affairs from the College of Europe in Bruges, Belgium.

]]>Announcing Internet Association’s Virtuous Circle Summit 2017https://internetassociation.org/announcing-virtuous-circle-summit-2017/
Thu, 20 Jul 2017 17:54:50 +0000https://internetassociation.org/?p=9866Top Internet Business Leaders Confirmed To Speak At Internet Association’s Third Annual Virtuous Circle Summit BECKERMAN: “The value of the Virtuous Circle Summit is the conversations that take place when you bring together the leading voices in the internet innovation and policy space.” Washington, DC — Today, Internet Association announced its initial list of confirmed speakers Read more »

BECKERMAN: “The value of the Virtuous Circle Summit is the conversations that take place when you bring together the leading voices in the internet innovation and policy space.”

Washington, DC — Today, Internet Association announced its initial list of confirmed speakers for the third annual Virtuous Circle Summit, which will be held on November 13 and 14, 2017, in San Francisco, CA. The exclusive event will bring together internet company founders, funders, key policymakers, top executives, and the drivers of innovation in the internet economy to discuss pressing issues facing the internet ecosystem.

“The value of the Virtuous Circle Summit is the conversations that take place when you bring together the leading voices in the internet innovation and policy space. The speakers and attendees we bring together represent the diverse components of the internet’s virtuous circle that benefits all Americans,” said Internet Association President & CEO Michael Beckerman. “The internet is the nation’s fastest growing sector, and it requires collaboration among policymakers, industry leaders, and rising entrepreneurs to ensure it continues to grow.”

The summit offers a space for intimate dialogue on the latest trends, innovations, and challenges confronting the internet ecosystem. Confirmed speakers include (additional speakers will be announced later this summer, including government officials):

A virtuous circle is a chain of events which reinforce themselves through a positive feedback loop. For the internet industry, a virtuous circle is about innovation, investment, economic growth, empowerment, and prosperity.

For more information on the conference, including how to purchase tickets, panel descriptions, and updated speaker schedules, please visit vc.internetassociation.org.

]]>Statement on Fight For The Future’s “Betrayal” Billboardshttps://internetassociation.org/statement-fight-for-future-betrayal-billboards/
Tue, 18 Jul 2017 16:32:06 +0000https://internetassociation.org/?p=9854Washington, DC – Internet Association President & CEO Michael Beckerman issued the following statement on Fight for the Future’s “betrayal” billboards: “Fight for the Future’s latest efforts on net neutrality are unacceptable. Accusing a Member of Congress of ‘betrayal’ while he’s recovering in the hospital is despicable. This type of advocacy is not what Internet Association and Read more »

“Fight for the Future’s latest efforts on net neutrality are unacceptable. Accusing a Member of Congress of ‘betrayal’ while he’s recovering in the hospital is despicable. This type of advocacy is not what Internet Association and our member companies stand for. Whip Scalise is an honorable and hard working Member of Congress and I consider him a friend. We look forward to having a spirited policy conversation with him when he’s back at 100% and continue to hope for his speedy recovery.

Net neutrality is vital to our economy and while we strongly support the rules on the books at the FCC, we have also indicated a willingness to work with Congress to ensure strong enforceable net neutrality rules are left intact. In contrast, the tactics being used by Fight for the Future are not constructive. It is disingenuous for Fight for the Future to oppose working with Congress on legislation, while at the same time attacking members of Congress on this issue.”

]]>Statement On NAFTA Negotiating Objectiveshttps://internetassociation.org/statement-nafta-negotiating-objectives/
Tue, 18 Jul 2017 02:39:52 +0000https://internetassociation.org/?p=9853Washington, DC – Ari Giovenco, Internet Association Director of Trade & International Policy, issued the following statement on USTR’s NAFTA negotiating objectives: “NAFTA was negotiated before the proliferation of the commercial internet, so it is essential that any renegotiation and modernization effort include strong digital provisions that will help the economy grow. While the internet Read more »

“NAFTA was negotiated before the proliferation of the commercial internet, so it is essential that any renegotiation and modernization effort include strong digital provisions that will help the economy grow. While the internet industry is encouraged that the administration laid out NAFTA objectives that include cross-border data flows and streamlined customs clearance for low value shipments, we look forward to working with negotiators to include key issues like balanced copyright and liability protections for internet services. These protections are essential for internet-enabled American exporters and will ensure that a modernized NAFTA truly embraces the U.S. digital economy.”

]]>BECKERMAN: “There is zero evidence that the Order has harmed the internet economy. In fact, we have strong evidence showing that ISPs, consumers, and internet companies of all sizes are thriving under the order. Rolling back net neutrality rules would stifle innovation and choice online.”

“The facts are clear: the 2015 Open Internet Order is working and does not need to be changed,” said IA President & CEO Michael Beckerman. “There is zero evidence that the Order has harmed the internet economy. In fact, we have strong evidence showing that ISPs, consumers, and internet companies of all sizes are thriving under the order. Rolling back net neutrality rules would stifle innovation and choice online.”

Below are key highlights from IA’s filing:

Both Quantitative And Qualitative Evidence Demonstrates The 2015 Open Internet Order Is Working. The Entire Internet Sector Is Thriving And There’s No Need To Change The Rules.

IA’s filing includes robust, statistically significant economic analysis that demonstrates ISP investment has not declined because of the current net neutrality rules. This quantitative evidence points in the same direction as the ordinary course statements from ISPs themselves since the current rules were enacted.

From the filing: “There is no reliable evidence that the 2015 Order has reduced ISPs’ investments in broadband infrastructure. Comprehensive economic research by IA has found that ISP investment is up over time, and shows no decline as a result of the Commission’s 2015 Order…Multiple, independent metrics — from actual capital expenditure numbers, to capacity, to prices — demonstrate that ISP claims of depressed investment don’t mesh with reality.”

In a world without net neutrality protections, startups would face discrimination from ISP owned or preferred content that’s granted a speed advantage through paid prioritization. This would hurt competition and consumer choice.

From the filing: “Allowing paid prioritization would in effect result in the ‘cable-ization’ of the Internet, in which edge providers (like creators of video programming in the cable context) would have to negotiate carriage deals on ISP networks in order to reach consumers effectively. This would harm startups and other small edge providers who lack the resources to pursue and pay for prioritized carriage, and would place all edge providers at the mercy of ISPs who would face minimal constraints on their ability to charge edge providers for prioritized access. The ultimate losers would be consumers who would be denied the wide variety of sources of content and services from edge providers.”

The FCC Should Continue To Maintain Light Touch, Legally Sustainable Rules That Protect The Internet Ecosystem.

From the filing: “As the Commission has explained previously, ISPs have clear economic incentives to favor their own or affiliated content over third-party, edge provider content. Whether by blocking, throttling, or otherwise discriminating against third-party content, ISPs have the ability to negatively influence their subscribers’ experience with third-party content and use their gatekeeping power to favor their own or affiliated content, thereby limiting consumer choice and competition.

The NPRM Fails To Acknowledge Extensive Investment By Internet Companies In Cloud Services, Which Are A Critical Part Of The “Virtuous Circle” Of Internet Investment.

Investment in the cloud by IA member companies is a significant part of the internet ecosystem. Innovation by internet companies fuels consumer demand for ISP services, which in turn incentivizes ISPs to invest more in their networks. These investments must be carefully weighed by the FCC as it moves forward.

From the filing: “The NPRM’s failure to address how its proposals will impact the cloud economy represents a fundamental misunderstanding of innovation and investment in the broadband economy and threatens to harm the largest driving force in the U.S. economy today. The success of the cloud economy and the transformation of the Internet into an indispensable part of daily life is largely based on a free and open Internet, one that enables consumers to access any website or app, buy any product, and use any service they choose.”

“Strong, enforceable net neutrality rules mean that consumers, not ISP gatekeepers, decide who wins and loses on the internet. No one wants to live in a world where the internet is like cable TV and consumers have to pay to access only a curated version of the internet,” concluded Beckerman.

In addition to the filing, all of IA’s member companies jointly filed a letter in the NPRM docket in support of net neutrality principles. From the letter:

“IA companies stand united for net neutrality. IA founding companies were built on the internet’s open architecture and best efforts commitment to treat all traffic equally, providing consumers with access to the lawful content of their choosing. Rules of the road are crucial to smaller IA companies as well as start ups along the internet economy’s long tail.”